Author Archives: MLC

Concussions: How’s Your School Culture?

Posted on by
Reply

Written by Joanna Chartrand

This post is a follow-up to the article Confused About Concussions? written by Joanna Chartrand.

In April of 2010, the University of Pennsylvania campus was rocked with the news that Owen Thomas, a popular junior and lineman on the football team, had committed suicide. A seemingly well-adjusted, driven, and successful student suffered what was described as “a sudden and uncharacteristic emotional collapse” (Schwarz, 2010).

Autopsy results revealed he was suffering from early stages of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or C.T.E., a form of brain neurodegeneration linked to diminishing cognitive function, depression, and suicidal behavior, among other behavioral dysfunctions (Institute of Medicine and National Research Council [IOM and NRC], 2014). Continue reading →

A COVID-19 Response: Why We Should Be Teaching Evolution

Posted on by
10

Written by Professor Dan Fenske

It was mid-March 2020 at Martin Luther College. I’m sure that the time frame needs no elaboration. Students had just left for Spring Break, and the campus was not yet locked down. Two student workers approached me with a simple question: “Professor, if we Christians don’t accept Evolution (when referring to the Theory of Evolution, I will indicate that by capitalizing Evolution), then where did this virus come from?” Many thoughts flooded through my head, but my priority was to address the honest question held by two troubled students.

After 30 minutes of discussion with these two students, I better understood their thought process. They were (mistakenly) thinking that since Christians reject Evolution, we must also reject data or observations that are used to support Evolution. Therefore, Christians reject the concept of genetic mutations.  So, how can a novel virus emerge if there is no genetic mutation? Continue reading →

Should Students Be Allowed to Listen to Music While Studying?

Posted on by
2

Written by Cori Humann

It’s a debate that seems to have no end. My students say they should be allowed to listen to music on their headphones while they are studying. With the backup of our handbook, I say they should not. Both sides claim to have scientific research backing up their position. What is the answer? Continue reading →

Is School Choice the Right Choice for Your LES?

Posted on by
1

Written by Dan Johnson

The model of parish education is changing in our synod. A greater number of schools are looking outside the church walls to continue their ministry, and that brings up questions of funding. How does a church continue to carry out the Great Commission and fund a well-rounded education? The student tuition could be raised, but higher tuition means that many families will be unable to consider the school because of their financial situation. The answer for many schools and congregations is to turn to school choice programs, using public money to pay for private school education. Continue reading →

What We’ll Keep

Posted on by
2

Reflections from the MLC Faculty & Staff

Gathered by Laurie Gauger-Hested

We’ve all learned a lot during this strange time: new ways of teaching and connecting and being. These lessons learned are certainly not worth the pain and loss of life this virus has wrought. Still, we don’t want them to go to waste.

I asked the MLC faculty and staff what new corona-inspired habits they’d like to keep when (or if) things get back to normal. Here are some of their thoughts on teaching. Yes, they’re college profs, but many of these ideas apply at every level of education. Continue reading →

Homework: A Parent/Teacher Partnership

Posted on by
Reply

Written by Philip Gustafson

As a 7th-8th grade teacher, I’m often asked by parents what their role should be at home when it comes to homework. This is not always an easy question to answer since all children are unique. So what do you say to parents who are looking for advice on homework support at home? Continue reading →

Social-Emotional Learning in the Distance Learning Classroom

Posted on by
1

Written by Professor Kelli Green

Dear Educators,

Remember the beginning of the school year? When we spent extra time each day creating a warm and structured learning environment for our students, a safe place for them to express themselves and take risks required to grow and belong as part of a community of learners? In the past month, our world has completely changed due to the coronavirus, moving our classrooms into our homes, where we interact over a distance through technology. Our once-normal teaching and learning environments, full of the expected school day routines and the safety we had so carefully created, have moved into an online audio and video environment with which we have little experience. Continue reading →

Tips to Avoid Zoom Bombing

Posted on by
1

Written by Jason Schmidt

Zoom video conferencing is an amazing free tool teachers can use to connect with their students. Just like anything, though, we’re finding out that something that should be really positive is making negative headlines.

It’s all over the news. Random people are dropping in on classroom meetings over Zoom and causing all sorts of disruption. They hijack the presenter’s screen to share inappropriate or disturbing content. They fill the chat room with all kinds of garbage and disrupt class audibly. “Zoom bombing,” as it’s known, is becoming a favorite pastime of many internet trolls and bored teenagers. Whole communities have popped up, sharing information on how to continue this practice.

While this new pastime is annoying, disruptive, and potentially harmful, you can take some actions to secure your classrooms. Continue reading →

Advancing Your Students Through Online Learning

Posted on by
Reply

Written by Angela Hanson

How are you, your students, and their families doing now that COVID-19 has completely up-ended your lives, taken you out of the classroom, and suddenly thrown you into the world of distance learning?

While this educational arrangement may not be your normal, it has been my normal for the past seven years. I teach middle school and, previously, high school Spanish online for the Association of Lutheran High Schools Online. I also homeschool my children, ages 3, 6, 8, and 10.

Given that experience, I want to encourage you as you transition into teaching online to students who are learning from home. It is possible to advance your students in their learning! I also want you to mentally prepare (if you haven’t already) for the possibility that distance learning will be your new normal for the rest of the school year. Continue reading →

School Closures and Distance Learning for Lutheran Schools

Posted on by
2

Written by Rachel Pierson

My body has been beyond the confines of my yard twice in the last two weeks. My attention has been many places around the world. This current global pandemic is unknown and unfamiliar, yet we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God.

Our schools, businesses, and churches are closed. We see hashtags like #StayAtHome, #SocialDistancing, and #ShelterInPlace, and many government and health officials proclaim that we are not allowed to meet in groups. For me, that means that having dinner with the family members that live in the same town—once a weekly occurrence—now are not advised due to the number of people. It means that weekly worship with the family of believers now happens from my living room while many others do the same.

Yet we find new ways to share God’s love as well as continue to help students grow in their knowledge. Some states have proclaimed that schools will not reopen this school year. In others, teachers work overtime to prepare content and deliver lessons virtually, because no one knows yet how long this will last. What are things educators should remember as we embark on this remote learning experience? Continue reading →